• Members of the Iraqi counter terrorism forces drive their vehicles past a collapsed building in Fallujah's southern Shuhada neighbourhood as they patrol an area they retook from the Islamic State group.
    Members of the Iraqi counter terrorism forces drive their vehicles past a collapsed building in Fallujah's southern Shuhada neighbourhood as they patrol an area they retook from the Islamic State group.
  • Iraqi pro-government forces exit a building in the Officers neighbourhood of Fallujah after checking it for ISIL militants.
    Iraqi pro-government forces exit a building in the Officers neighbourhood of Fallujah after checking it for ISIL militants.
  • A member of the Iraqi pro-government forces stands guard at look out point next to his national flag.
    A member of the Iraqi pro-government forces stands guard at look out point next to his national flag.
  • A pro-government soldier inspects a room in a building bearing Islamic State group graffiti as Iraqi forces attempt to clear the city of ISIL fighters.
    A pro-government soldier inspects a room in a building bearing Islamic State group graffiti as Iraqi forces attempt to clear the city of ISIL fighters.
  • An Iraqi pro-government forces member, gestures to a comrade holding a rocket propelled grenade, as they try to enter the eastern Askari neighbourhood of Fallujah during a military operation to clear the city of remaining ISIL members.
    An Iraqi pro-government forces member, gestures to a comrade holding a rocket propelled grenade, as they try to enter the eastern Askari neighbourhood of Fallujah during a military operation to clear the city of remaining ISIL members.
  • Iraqi forces patrol the Officers neighbourhood of Fallujah in a tank looking for remaining ISIL militants.
    Iraqi forces patrol the Officers neighbourhood of Fallujah in a tank looking for remaining ISIL militants.
  • Members of Iraqi pro-government forces check an unidentified body.
    Members of Iraqi pro-government forces check an unidentified body.
  • Pro-government forces run across an opening to take cover in a building as they try to enter the eastern Askari neighbourhood.
    Pro-government forces run across an opening to take cover in a building as they try to enter the eastern Askari neighbourhood.
  • A member of the pro-government forces takes precaution whilst patrolling the Officers neighbourhood.
    A member of the pro-government forces takes precaution whilst patrolling the Officers neighbourhood.
  • Iraqi counter terrorism forces gather next to their vehicles in Fallujah's southern Shuhada area as they patrol an area they retook from the Islamic State group.
    Iraqi counter terrorism forces gather next to their vehicles in Fallujah's southern Shuhada area as they patrol an area they retook from the Islamic State group.
  • An Iraqi pro-government soldier enters a hospital during a sweep to eliminate ISIL militants in Fallujah.
    An Iraqi pro-government soldier enters a hospital during a sweep to eliminate ISIL militants in Fallujah.
  • Iraqi forces battle with Islamic State militants in the Officers neighbourhood of Fallujah.
    Iraqi forces battle with Islamic State militants in the Officers neighbourhood of Fallujah.
  • A member of the Iraqi pro-government forces fires a rocket propelled grenade during clashes with Islamic State group fighters as they try to enter the eastern Askari neighbourhood of Fallujah.
    A member of the Iraqi pro-government forces fires a rocket propelled grenade during clashes with Islamic State group fighters as they try to enter the eastern Askari neighbourhood of Fallujah.
  • Pro-government forces stand guard at a rooftop look out point.
    Pro-government forces stand guard at a rooftop look out point.
  • An Iraqi pro-government soldier stands guard at a look out point above an Islamic State group flag.
    An Iraqi pro-government soldier stands guard at a look out point above an Islamic State group flag.

Region in focus: Iraqi forces recapture parts of Fallujah

Fatima Al Marzouqi

June 22, 2016

  • English
  • Arabic

In the past week Iraqi pro-government forces have made significant advances in trying to clear Fallujah of ISIL militants. Fallujah, 50 km (30 miles) west of Baghdad, was the first city to fall to ISIL in January 2014, six months before the group declared a caliphate spanning large parts of Iraq and Syria. Known as the “City of Minarets and Mother of Mosques”, Fallujah is a focus for Sunni Muslim faith and identity in Iraq. It was badly damaged in two offensives by US forces against Al Qaeda insurgents in 2004.

Haidar Mohammed, a photographer for the AFP, documented the photographs seen in this slideshow.

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